Two Wonderful Short Stories

William Butler Yeats

Today we went over two short stories: The Heart of Spring by William Butler Yeats and Stickeen by John Muir. They are both wonderful stories, but when I ask which story everyone likes the most, Stickeen wins. The Heart of Spring is about a young boy and a very old man, who is referred to as Master by the young boy. The story is a tricky one to understand, but the story consists of a young boy taking care of the older man. The older one tells him about what he has gone through and what he needs done that day since he knows he will pass away. The young boy does what he is told to do by the old man, and before the young boy saw his master dead, he dreamed of a bright future of him being married and having children. The last sentence of the story: "He looked at the threadbare blue velvet, and he saw it was covered with the pollen of the flowers, and while he was looking at it a thrush, who had alighted among the boughs that were piled against the window, began to sing." It's a short story, only 4.5 pages, but very well written. The Heart of Spring is yet another story I suggest you read. 

The other story, Stickeen, is a real story written by John Muir and his new canine friend, Stickeen. John Muir was not interested in having a dog in this trip and in the beginning, he has only negative comments about Stickeen and his place on the voyage. But throughout the story John Muir and Stickeen become close, and it's wonderful to read and see how Stickees builds their relationship. From half way into the story and till the end, John Muir speaks to Stickee like he is one of us. There are many examples of John Muir referring to Stickeen as if he were human. Here is one: "His looks and tones of his voice when be began to complain and speak his fears were so human that I unconsciously talked to him as I would to a boy, and in trying to calm his fears perhaps in some measure moderated my own." This too is a marvelous story, and I suggest you read this one as well. On Friday, we will read some poems and stories brought in by us, and receive next week's short story.